Play-off Preview: UCD -v- Galway FC

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Sun, Oct 26 2014




UCD

UCD will be hoping to continue an impressive two weeks when they take on Galway FC on Monday evening in the first leg of a two legged play-off affair. (Kick-off 7.45pm)

 

After a win in Derry, The Students then won at home on Friday night with Drogheda United the visitors to the Bowl. Boss Aaron Callaghan may have not been on the bench for those two wins due to a three game touchline ban but his assistant Collie O’Neill has acted admirably in his absence.

 

Callaghan speaking ahead of this game is hoping that his side can continue their current form.

 

“I thought we played extremely well against Drogheda. We knocked the ball around well and created some good chances. Galway will be full of confidence going into this play-off having just beaten Shelbourne, however after two clean sheets and two wins in a row the players are in good form and their confidence has returned.”

 

This isn’t the first time that these two sides have squared off this season with Galway dumping the College out of the FAI Cup earlier in the year at the same venue. An improved performance has been called for by the home side’s manager.

 

“When we played Galway earlier in the season they completely out played us and deserved their victory. The lads will have to be a lot better this time around if we are to have a chance in the tie. However if we play like we have done in the last two games then we will have every chance.”

 

The College will be up against it on Monday as they must deal without Robbie Creevy and captain Robbie Benson who will serve a one game suspension due to the accumulation of four yellow cards, however Chris Mulhall and Hugh Douglas will both return to the UCD side due having served their suspension on Friday night.

 

The only other absentee for UCD will be Dean Clarke who has a back injury while Aaron Callaghan will serve the final game of his latest touch line ban.

 

GALWAY FC

Galway much like UCD will be full of momentum heading into this play-off game after two top performances against Shelbourne, which saw Tommy Dunne’s men win out both at home and then in Tolka Park.

 

Tommy Dunne prior to Monday night’s fixture spoke to www.galwayfc.ie about trying to focus his players on the task at hand in the limited 72 hour period available to him.

 

"We've just tried to prepare as best we possibly can over the last few days. It was important we trained twice ahead of the UCD game. We have a decent handle on UCD, we're hoping we can have a similar outcome to earlier in the season at the UCD Bowl.
 

"They're going be tight games. I don't think there's going be much between the teams over the two legs."

 

The Cup game played earlier in the season is something that many critics will be reviewing prior to the game but Dunne himself has admitted that the atmosphere will be considerably different this time round.

 

“I do think that this game is a bit more serious than the Cup. Playing against UCD on Monday will bring up a different set of circumstances and challenges. I hope we can deal with them. We will do our best to keep fully concentrated over the 180 minutes or whatever it may be.


"There's injury worries and suspensions and with such a quick turnaround it doesn't give players enough time to prepare.”

 

The Western based side do have a number of injury doubts as Stephen Walsh and Alex Byrne will both be forced to try and overcome late fitness tests if they are to be involved. Meanwhile Aaron McDonagh is once again ruled out due to his appendix problem. In another interesting twist Tommy Dunne must serve a touch line ban for this one meaning both managers will be forced to watch this one from the UCD Bowl stand.

 

Referee: James McKell

 

MATCH FACTS

UCD’s top goal scorer is currently Robbie Benson, who is suspended for this game, with five goals in the league while Galway’s Jake Keegan leads their scoring charts on 15.

 

UCD’s two game win streak which they are currently on, is the first time they have been on such a run since the end of March.

 

Galway have won eight times more than UCD in the league this season despite The Students having five more games to achieve that target.

 

BETTING

UCD 13/8; Draw 11/5; Galway FC 13/8.

 

PREDICTION

UCD 2-1 Galway FC – UCD have looked like a completely revamped side over the past two weeks and I suspect they will come out of this one with a narrow victory.

 

UCD

Injured: Dean Clarke (back)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Robbie Creevy, Robbie Benson

 

Galway FC

Injured: Aaron McDonagh (appendix)

Doubtful: Stephen Walsh, Alex Byrne

Suspended: Tommy Dunne